Kochi, Kochi International Airport Limited on Thursday said the international airport at Nedumbassery here has been authorized by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for import of medicines and cosmetics.
With this, the international airport becomes one of the 11 airports in the country to enjoy this facility, a CIAL release said.
The airport was authorized for this purpose by amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, the release said.
I said, earlier, life-saving medicines and other essential medicines were transported only in limited quantities through the airport, that too with special permission.
In view of the approval given by the ministry, large stockists now have the option to directly import medicines and cosmetics through Cochin airport, the release said.
It added, "Till now, cosmetics from abroad were mainly imported by ship or through other airports outside Kerala. However, this scenario is about to change as the Kochi airport has received central approval "
It further added that during the period 2023-24, CIAL handled 63,642 metric tonnes of cargo volume. Of this, 44,000 metric tons is international cargo.
The release said that for the last 25 years, companies including CIAL's subsidiary Cochin Duty Free were dependent on shipping to import high volume consignments consisting of medicines and cosmetics.
It also said that CIAL had several times raised the issue of not being listed among the authorized airports with the Central government and now it has received the Centre's permission.
With this, the international airport becomes one of the 11 airports in the country to enjoy this facility, a CIAL release said.
The airport was authorized for this purpose by amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, the release said.
I said, earlier, life-saving medicines and other essential medicines were transported only in limited quantities through the airport, that too with special permission.
In view of the approval given by the ministry, large stockists now have the option to directly import medicines and cosmetics through Cochin airport, the release said.
It added, "Till now, cosmetics from abroad were mainly imported by ship or through other airports outside Kerala. However, this scenario is about to change as the Kochi airport has received central approval "
It further added that during the period 2023-24, CIAL handled 63,642 metric tonnes of cargo volume. Of this, 44,000 metric tons is international cargo.
The release said that for the last 25 years, companies including CIAL's subsidiary Cochin Duty Free were dependent on shipping to import high volume consignments consisting of medicines and cosmetics.
It also said that CIAL had several times raised the issue of not being listed among the authorized airports with the Central government and now it has received the Centre's permission.